PM Modi launches Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan launched at Ramnagar in this tribal-dominated district of Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.Aim of the Scheme:

is to making rural local bodies self-sustainable, financially stable and more efficient.

to enhancing capacities and effectiveness of Panchayat

and to promote devolution of powers and responsibilities.

On the occasion, Modi unveiled a roadmap for development of tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh over the next five years. Under the plan, Rs 2 lakh crore will be spent for development of areas under tribal panchayats.

Panchayati Raj Day

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993 has institutionalized Panchayati Raj through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.

This date marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is very visible as it has changed power equations irreversibly.

Accordingly, the Government of India decided in consultation with the States to celebrate 24th April as National Panchayati Raj Day. Ministry of Panchayati Raj organises National Conference on 24th April every year to commemorate the National Panchayati Raj Diwas.

E-way bill roll out in four more states

The government has decided to rollout the e-Way bill for intra-state movements of goods in four more states and a union territory from April 25, taking the total number of states implementing the intra-state e-Way bill to 17.

Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Meghalaya, and Puducherry will initiate the intra-state rollout from today(25.04.2018).

The government launched the electronic way (e-Way) bill system for inter-state movement of goods having value over Rs 50,000 from April 1

Karnataka was first state to implement both services on the same day on April 1.

Haryana signed pact with IOC

The Haryana government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for setting up a biomethenation plant in Faridabad.

The plant will produce cooking gas and compost from organic waste.

The plant will produce 18 cylinders of gas every day.

The plant will also produce about four tonnes of compost per day from five tonnes of organic waste.

Cyber Security Operations Centre in AP

APCSOC is an initiative of the state Information Technology, Electronics and Communications ministry.

Chief Minister Naidu also launched a cyber threat portal and the state’s draft Cyber Security Framework (CSF).The draft framework – a document that integrates the industry standards and best practices has been released with an objective of inviting consultative feedback from the industry and expert groups.

AFSPA removed from Meghalaya after 27 years

Centre government has withdrawn the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) totally from Meghalaya as well as from eight out of 16 police stations in Arunachal Pradesh, with effect from March 31, 2018.
AFSPA, which gives special powers and immunity to the armed forces deployed in areas declared “disturbed” under the Act, had been in force in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh for almost 27 years.

INTERNATIONAL

Six countries suspend membership in UNASUR regional bloc

A South American bloc created a decade ago to counter US influence in the region has temporarily lost half its members after six countries suspended their memberships amid differences over who should lead the group.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru are those six countries.

Reason of taking back membership temporary is : who should lead the group.

UNASUR was officially founded in 2008 in Brasilia between 12 governments in South America.

The remaining active UNASUR members are Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Guyana and Suriname.

US, France call for ‘new nuclear deal’ with Iran

US and France have called for a new nuclear deal with Iran.

US President Donald Trump, who is sceptical of a nuclear accord that was struck between the world powers and Iran in 2015, discussed the issue with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Washington yesterday(24 April).

The US President has been threatening to reject an extension of the Obama-era nuclear pact.

Iran has warned of severe consequences if the US withdrew from the deal

The 2015 deal provides for curbs to Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for relief from financial sanctions.

SPORTS

Shahzar Rizvi opens India’s account with a silver

World record holder Shahzar Rizvi claimed India’s first medal at the ongoing World Cup organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) at Changwon, South Korea.
He won the silver in the 10 meter air pistol event on day three of the year’s second World Cup. Rizvi missed the gold by 0.2 points to Russia’s Artem Chernousov. Samuil Donkov of Bulgaria won the Bronze.

LIFE

World Lab Animals Day

World Day For Animals In Laboratories (WDAIL) also known as World Lab Animal Day is observed every year on 24 April.

WLAD is celebrated every year from 1979.

It marks the birthday of NAVS president Hugh Dowding NAVS president Hugh Dowding

Khongjom battle day

Manipur observed ‘Khongjom Day’ in commemoration of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 recently.

The 1891 armed conflict was the last battle fought between the Kingdom of Manipur and the British Empire.

Manipur lost the war and this marked the beginning of British rule in the then princely state.

The Manipur government has been observing April 23 as ‘Khongjom Day’ every year.